Nakuru’s London Ward Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) candidate Stephen Adhoch has stepped down and agreed to back Jubilee’s Francis Njoroge ahead of the March 4 MCA by-election.
The ODM candidate announced his withdrawal from the race on Monday morning adding that his support will now be geared towards making sure Francis Njoroge alias Njosh clinches the seat.
Mr Adhoch had earlier claimed he was not consulted before the party made the pronouncement that it would support the rival Jubilee Party candidate.
What next after stepping down?
“I have decided to support the Jubilee candidate (Njoroge) and make sure Njoroge clinches the seat. I urge all my supporters to turn up in large numbers and vote for him,” Mr Adhoch said in a statement.
On Saturday, ODM, through the Nakuru County branch chairman Peter Ole Osono, announced that it had withdrawn its candidate and will be supporting the Jubilee candidate in what looks like upholding the spirit of the handshake. They said this as they joined Jubilee campaigns in London Ward.
Mr Osono also announced that the party had decided to back Jubilee in the Hell’s Gate wards by-elections slated for the same March 4.
Present at the meeting were Samuel Arama, MP for Nakuru Town West, David Gikaria, Nakuru Town East MP, Maina Kamanda (Nominated), Babu Owino of Embakasi East constituency and MP Kanini Kega (Kieni).
Jubilee vs UDA
The exit of ODM’s Stephen Adoch from the contest means the major battle will be between the Jubilee Party and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Political parties and their candidates have already intensified campaigns as they seek to outdo each other in the coming by-elections.
In both the London and Hell’s Gate Wards by-elections, the 2022 succession politics has taken centre stage, as the Tangatanga’s UDA party threatens to upset the ruling Jubilee Party.
The London and Hell’s Gate Ward seats fell vacant following the deaths of Samuel Mbugua and John “Wa Susi” Njuguna respectively both in November 2020.
